From whom have I received extraordinary gifts?

Oh my, where do I begin to count the number of extraordinary gifts bestowed upon me in this life? All of my teachers from my mother to university professors, to spiritual mentors. I have received extraordinary support from my beloved mate, from dear friends old and new and those I’ve yet to meet! Through many times when I knew unseen hands were at work.

The Lord and my upbringing. Life has brought me numerous opportunities to use my God-given talents. My upbringing has given me the gift of Love and listening ears. I know that it has influenced me to be a people person.

OMG. From so many. Parents, mates, teachers, co-workers, spiritual and business leaders, clients, friends, ‘enemies’ (who no longer are since they were my ‘teachers’), etc. I guess I am blessed. Perhaps it’s an aging thing, or my optimism shining through (at least today!). I see how much I have learned from others, pointing me in ever-deepening ways. Reflecting further, the biggest gifts are a thought, or point of view, or an expression of love, that made me stop and think, change my ...

OMG. From so many. Parents, mates, teachers, co-workers, spiritual and business leaders, clients, friends, ‘enemies’ (who no longer are since they were my ‘teachers’), etc. I guess I am blessed. Perhaps it’s an aging thing, or my optimism shining through (at least today!). I see how much I have learned from others, pointing me in ever-deepening ways. Reflecting further, the biggest gifts are a thought, or point of view, or an expression of love, that made me stop and think, change my perspective. This is a wonderful question, and I will carry it through the day for sure. I am grateful for it!

My parents for giving me life and love. My son for giving me motherhood. My husband for the million different ways in which he takes care of me. And a countless other people for being there for me, for pushing me, for pushing for me, for encouraging me. It would take me a whole day to write down all the extraordinary people who have done things for me. Thank you God.

My mother, my sister Gale, the animals in my life, various friends, and my doctor (who is not particularly personable and who I am not even sure I like) for reasons that will remain private. But believe me, answers to prayers can come from unlikely sources!

Ah, thankfully I have been touched by many many people in this way. However, a story that comes to mind is of a day that I arrived home after work only to find my door unlocked at my house. I thought that this was strange because usually I arrived home before my friend who lived with me at the time. As I walked in the door I was hit with the smell of cigarette smoke. Again, I thought this finding to be unusual because neither myself nor my buddy smoked. As I followed the scent of the smoke I was...

Ah, thankfully I have been touched by many many people in this way. However, a story that comes to mind is of a day that I arrived home after work only to find my door unlocked at my house. I thought that this was strange because usually I arrived home before my friend who lived with me at the time. As I walked in the door I was hit with the smell of cigarette smoke. Again, I thought this finding to be unusual because neither myself nor my buddy smoked. As I followed the scent of the smoke I was led to a balcony only to find a homeless friend of mine named Reaper sitting on my balcony smoking a cigarette. I exclaimed, “Bro! How did you get into my house and what are you doing here?” To this Reaper laughingly replied, “I picked your door lock and I came over here because I just made enough money standing on the corner in order to cook you and Justin (my friend and roomie) dinner. I have tuna fish casserole in the oven and it should be done in 20 minutes.” Instead of being concerned that this man just broke into my house I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with awe as I received this extraordinary gift of a warm dinner after a long day at work from this man and friend of mine who most days has not a dollar to his name. Life is strange yet jam-packed with beauty at most turns if we can only have the eyes to see it.

My family and I volunteered to serve lunch to the homeless at a downtown park in a large city. After all the homeless who were lined up and went along the long tables to be served their lunch, one of the volunteers got in the back of the line and the other volunteers served him. We found out that he was a homeless man who was so grateful for this daily meal that he asked if he could volunteer. If a homeless man is willing to serve others first, we can all do something to help others as well.

Some of what I thought were the worse things that could ever happen to have very often turned out to be the things that have made me become more resilient .
Today’s quote reminds me of my attitude when these “god awful” events were occurring.
I was full of fear and had a resistance against what was happening.
Now I see, of course, in hindsight, that these events were gifts.
Trusting life completely, means to let go of the struggle against what is and say yes to life!
It does tak...

Some of what I thought were the worse things that could ever happen to have very often turned out to be the things that have made me become more resilient .
Today’s quote reminds me of my attitude when these “god awful” events were occurring.
I was full of fear and had a resistance against what was happening.
Now I see, of course, in hindsight, that these events were gifts.
Trusting life completely, means to let go of the struggle against what is and say yes to life!
It does take enormous amounts of courage to open your heart and say yes to life no matter what!
Thank you brother David I’m grateful for this question because it helps me reflect on these last three years with gratitude!

It is difficult to for me to compile a complete list but the exercise alone results in gratitude for the extraordinary gifts received “easily” and also via challenging circumstances and effort — I’d further add that my list from whom also includes animals, the natural world, & art. Thank you.

My parents who gave me the gift of life. Also my wife who has supported me for 25+ years, my employees who do so much of the heavy lifting at my business. My various teachers who help guide me toward a life with meaning.

After leaving (with her Mom) a disruptive and difficult home in which her Dad was abusive towards her Mom, (my daughter) my 2 year old grand-daughter's favorite word now is: HAPPY! She is now in a safe and happy home in which they are both healing. My extraordinary gift is an answer to my many prayers and many lighted candles on this website, Gratefulness. My gift is seeing my daughter find her own strength and discover her own spiritual pathway and hearing my young granddaughter, with a big smi...

After leaving (with her Mom) a disruptive and difficult home in which her Dad was abusive towards her Mom, (my daughter) my 2 year old grand-daughter’s favorite word now is: HAPPY! She is now in a safe and happy home in which they are both healing. My extraordinary gift is an answer to my many prayers and many lighted candles on this website, Gratefulness. My gift is seeing my daughter find her own strength and discover her own spiritual pathway and hearing my young granddaughter, with a big smile on her face say: HAPPY!

God continues to bestow his mercy and grace on me. These extraordinary gifts have carried me through the untimely death of my husband and a cancer diagnosis a year later. He has done for me what I could not do for myself. A fuller meaning of life is the greatest gift he’s given me.

Sarah, you are an inspiration for all you have been through and have such a wonderful attitude! What you said God has done for you that you could not do for yourself, brought to mind this quote from Nic Vujicic who was born without arms and legs, “The victory is not when I stand up. The victory is when I realize I can’t do it on my own”. Bless you, Sarah.🦋